NEWS
NYSC Tasks Employers on Welfare, Security of Corps Members
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Ag. Director, North Central Area Office, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC),
Mrs Biodun Olobukola has challenged employers to take welfare and security of serving corps members very crucial and paramount.
The director, who gave the challenge during Kogi Annual 2023 Corps Employers Workshop held at the Government House, Lokoja, described the corps members as “precious assets to the Nigerian nation.
The theme of this year’s corps employers’ workshop; “Tackling emerging Challenges in Corps Administration through NYSC/Stakeholders’ Participation,” was well tackled by two resource persons including the state coordinator, Mrs Mofoluwaso Williams.
Olobukola said that 2023 corps employers workshop was not only a platform for the exchange of ideas but a “veritable avenue for the improvement of the quality of service delivery both on the part of the NYSC, Corps Employers and other stakeholders towards the realization of the goals and objectives of the NYSC in the task of Nation Building.”
She explained that the two papers; “Performance appraisal: a tool to tackle workplace challenges and achieve set goals” and “Communication an effective tool in achieving set goals” delivered by seasoned resource persons, were meant to raise germane issues in the efforts at improving the achievement of the goals of the NYSC predicted upon National Development.
Represented by her assistant, Mr. A. Abdullazeez, she urge all participants to listen keenly to the resource persons and contribute meaningfully in order to gain better insight to resolving challenges as quickly as possible and channeling same to the realization of a mutually beneficial goal.
“The efforts of the State Government in providing an enabling environment for the smooth operation of the NYSC in the State is without doubt most encouraging. I therefore, express my gratitude to the State Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello for his kindness toward the scheme.
She commended the NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen. Y.D Ahmed for his efforts at ensuring the best practices in the operations of the NYSC, most especially in the area of security and welfare as well as the technological development of the corps members.
The director also appreciated the great efforts of all awesome state coordinators in the north central Area. You are highly appreciated. God will continue to bless you, abundantly.
Dr Grace Gunwa, in her paper, “Communication, an effective tool in achieving set goals” advised corp members to always ask questions on anything or issue they do more understand in order to succeed in all they do.
“As a new person in a new environment (using a Corps member as a case study), it is very necessary for one to learn, through interaction with persons in the new environment, their culture, tradition, and general way of life alongside any other assignment allotted the person.
“But Sadly some persons either through arrogance and “I know it all” attitude fail to understand the importance of effective communication as a tool for achieving goal set for them or which they set for themselves and thereafter end up in serious disaster, ” she said.
“We should all endeavour to see that correct and effective communication is very essential and necessary in every aspect of a man’s life.
In her paper, “Tackling emerging Challenges in Corps Administration through NYSC/Stakeholders,” Mofoluwaso, said that with determination, commitment and resilience, the burden would be very light.
She noted that employers could overcome challenges with Corps members by organising a first meeting between newly engaged corps members with members of staff or leadership to do a sort of climate setting where the newbies would be introduced to the organization in its fullness.
“Reading the riot act to them warning them of the don’ts of the organization as well as intimate them with pecks on the job for their benefit should they be worthy ambassadors of the Scheme they represent.
“Expose corps members to the vision, mission statements, standard attained by the organizations and the goals set for achievement as well as restrictions and discipline amongst others, ” she said.
The state coordinator said that what the scheme was desirous to train the Corps members to visionary and powerful leaders of tomorrow for the desired growth and development of Nigeria
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and its subsidiary, BEDC Electricity Ondo Limited (BEOL), have strongly condemned an alleged plan by the Ondo State Government to assume control of electricity distribution operations in the state.The condemnation was issued in a statement responding to the announcement by the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Power, describing the state government’s move as illegal, provocative, and disruptive to ongoing partnerships.
BEDC’s statement was released on Friday in Benin by its Chief Revenue Cycle Manager, Mr Collins Igwe.According to Igwe, while the Electricity Act 2023 empowers states to regulate their electricity markets, it does not authorise them to unilaterally take over distribution operations.BEDC stated that any such move would violate the joint communiqué reached after a strategic meeting between BEDC/BEOL and the Ondo state government aimed at addressing power challenges.“Any such move undermines the spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding agreed upon to resolve electricity issues in the state.“We have a legal mandate to operate in Ondo. This attempted encroachment is unacceptable,” Igwe said.He emphasised that the power supply challenges in Ondo were part of broader national issues, and reiterated BEDC’s commitment—through BEOL—to implementing long-term, sustainable solutions.“We are open to partnerships, but any approach must respect due legal processes and the agreements made in good faith,” he added.Igwe also explained that the jointly signed communiqué established a clear roadmap for collaborative solutions.He said it recommended the creation of a power supply committee to address electricity access in underserved and unserved communities through a mutually agreed framework.The company warned that any unilateral action or interference in its operations would constitute a breach of agreement and could disrupt electricity distribution services across the state.“The company reaffirmed that it remains the duly licensed operator in Ondo and will protect its infrastructure in line with Nigerian laws and regulatory standards.“We call on those currently attempting to interfere with our infrastructure to desist immediately to avoid legal consequences,” the statement said.Igwe further urged the public to disregard the controversial publication, describing it as misleading, unauthorised, and detrimental to ongoing collaborative efforts.He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering improved electricity services in Ondo state, prioritising transparency, legal compliance, and community engagement.“We remain focused on constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure sustained progress and stability in Ondo state’s power sector,” Igwe said.(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 78 suspected internet fraudsters in Kano, Nasarawa and Abia.
Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He said that the EFCC operatives on Friday, arrested 43 suspected internet fraudsters in Toto, Nasarawa State.
According to him, their arrest followed actionable intelligence which linked them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include five motorcycles, 64 mobile phones, four laptop computers and an iPad,’ he said.
Oyewale said that in a related development, the EFCC’s operatives on Thursday arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters at Ariam and Ubakala in Abia.
He said the items recovered from them included four cars, one iPad, three laptop computers, one sound system, fourty two cell phones and one external hard drive.
”In the same vein, operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Commission equally arrested five suspected cyber criminals in Kano.
”The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday, during a sting operation at Farm Centre, Kano following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet fraud and related financial crimes.
”The suspects were arrested alongside their mobile phones,” he said.
According to him, all the suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said. (NAN)
British comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault.
The 49-year-old appeared in the dock at London’s Southwark Crown Court on Friday flanked by two officers, where he stood stock-still and looked straight ahead as he delivered his pleas.
He is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room while she attended a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, and grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and orally raping her after dragging her into a male toilet.
Brand is also alleged to have grabbed a radio station worker’s face, pushing her against a wall and kissing her before groping her breasts and buttocks.
The final charge alleges the actor indecently assaulted another woman after grabbing her forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet.
The allegations against Brand are said to have taken place against four women between 1999 and 2005.
The defendant, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, who faces one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, is due to stand trial on June 3 next year at the same court.
As Friday’s hearing finished, the comedian replaced his sunglasses before exiting the dock and calmly walked past reporters.
He was charged following an investigation by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times newspaper in which several women made allegations against him.
Brand previously told his 11.2 million followers on X that he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.(dpa/NAN)
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